Letter To The Editor

Published: May 4, 2017 12:00 AM

The Fox News televised event last week at a Canton factory was billed as a "town hall" Let me remind your readers that a real town hall is an opportunity for elected officials to meet with their constituents, a time for these politicians to listen to their constituents' concerns and to respond to their questions about issues that have or will come before these officials for deliberation and action. Constituents do not need to receive a special invitation to attend a real town hall. I read the entire article and did not see any reference to appearances by or statements from any such elected officials.

The article's headline, "Optimism and enthusiasm," failed to convey the mixed response the invited guests offered on evaluating the first 100 days of the Trump presidency.

I also must point out the error in identifying Andy Puzder as "Trump's former Labor Secretary". President Trump did nominate him for this cabinet position, but Pudzer was not confirmed by the senate. He withdrew from consideration prior to his senate confirmation hearing after reports surfaced that he opposed the minimum wage and workers' rights and had employed an undocumented person for work in his household. Congressional support for his confirmation quickly evaporated.

I appreciate the article included comments in support of President Trump's first 100 days record and statements from those who disagreed with this record. However, I do not believe that this televised event should have received media coverage as a town hall, far from it.

In my opinion, it is incumbent on Ohio's elected officials, at all levels of government, to recognize their responsibility to be accountable and accessible to their constituents at real town halls.